The seven semifinalists for the Iowa State University president’s job were asked during closed-door interviews last week about the role of land-grant institutions, their leadership style and what “diversity” and “inclusion” means to them.

But the list of questions ISU presidential search committee members asked the job candidates included only one about students in general, another about student athletes and none about faculty, according to the list obtained by The Des Moines Register through a public records request.

Four people were selected to visit ISU’s Ames campus next week for more interviews and meetings with staff, students and the public. Names of the finalists will be released the day before they arrive on campus.

Steven Leath, who was ISU’s president for more than five years, resigned last spring after accepting the top job at Auburn University in Alabama.

After Leath’s resignation, the Iowa Board of Regents appointed a search committee to work with AGB Search, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that specializes in finding candidates for top jobs at universities and colleges.

AGB Search provided the co-chairmen of the ISU’s search committee with a list of potential questions to ask semifinalists for the president’s job, said Luis Rico-Gutierrez, dean of ISU’s college of design and a committee co-chairman.

He said the search firm based its list of questions on the posted job description.

Rico-Gutierrez and the other co-chairman, Principal Financial Group CEO Dan Houston, refined the questions and then provided them to committee members, Rico-Gutierrez said.

The committee members added their suggestions which were incorporated in the final draft of 13 questions asked of each candidate.

“I believe there is an art in asking questions of the candidate,” Rico-Gutierrez said. The questions “needed to be asked in such a way that it revealed the candidate’s leadership style and priorities and to give them room to shine or not.”

The questions asked by the ISU search committee were broader than those asked last year of candidates for the job of president at the University of Northern Iowa.

Questions asked of the UNI presidential semifinalists included candidates’ ideas on how to increase enrollment while maintaining or improving graduation rates and how they would explain the importance of UNI’s liberal arts majors to Iowans.

Although none of those types of questions were included in the list of questions asked by the ISU search committee, some could have been asked in follow-ups to the broader questions, said Josh Lehman, regents’ spokesman.

ISU’s enrollment has exploded in recent years, making it Iowa’s largest public university with more than 36,300 students. The university’s six-year graduation rate is 71 percent; its one-year retention rate is 88 percent.

Among the things Leath had said he wanted to accomplish during his time at ISU was increase the six-year graduation rate to 75 percent and boost the retention rate to 90 percent.

Rico-Gutierrez said while those issues are important, the committee wanted to ask broad questions to see how the candidates’ “priorities came through and how they would handle the different aspects and components of the job."

“We also wanted to see how much research they did on ISU and what their understanding was of the challenges we face as well as our accomplishments,” he said.

Committee members were cautioned not to ask candidates any questions related to race, religion, national origin, physical disabilities, health, family status or age.

Rico-Gutierrez said he was impressed by the quality of candidates who applied for the position.

“I hope everyone else is as well, “ he said.

Questions asked of ISU president semifinalists

The following are among the questions asked by the Iowa State University presidential search committee during interviews Sept. 26-27 with the seven semifinalists for the job.

Why Iowa State and, why now?

What do you think is the role of land-grants in the future of states like Iowa, and the country? What evidence can you offer that suggests your understanding of and support for research, education, extension and outreach?

The president of ISU is expected to be the voice of the institution’s mission, values, concerns and aspirations: What do you think are key components of successful internal and external communications strategies? How would you prioritize different constituencies?

Successful universities integrate people, programs, and resources in their host communities. What is your experience in working with public and private sector leaders and citizens off-campus to build community support and establishing trusting, reliable relationships? Can you describe a situation in which you disagreed with a governing board (or equivalent supervisor) and how you handled it?

What are the major challenges and opportunities that universities will face in the future, and based on what you know about ISU, how would you position our institution to “make a difference?”

The ability to establish priorities, especially in a challenging fiscal environment, is critical. How would you approach a realignment of investment opportunities to position the university for success, while working with budget challenges?

How would you seek to understand and involve yourself with our students, aside from student government expectations? Please give us some examples.

Please talk a little about the role the Cyclones play at the university and how the student athlete’s pursuits relate to our mission. In this context, what strategies and plans might you envision to manage the risks and rewards of high profile athletics?

How do you define shared governance? Can you give us a specific example where shared governance was a critical component of your decision-making process and/or the implementation of a complex strategy? Conversely, in what conditions would you avoid using shared governance?

Fundraising, development, and alumni engagement will be major tasks for the president. Please share your experience in philanthropy with specific examples of donor cultivation.

What do the words “diversity” and "inclusion" mean to you? Describe your experience creating an environment where all involved felt safe, welcomed, supported, included and valued by the institution and each other. How did you lead others to do the same?

Recognizing that we all have some limitations, what characteristics or qualities might hamper or enhance your effectiveness as president? If we “learn from our mistakes,” can you mention an honest mistake that taught you an important lesson, and how you confronted the consequences of that mistake?

Now is your opportunity to interview us: what can we tell you to further inform your interest in Iowa State? Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

VIDEOS: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT FINALISTS
Ramaswamy wants to build on top of ISU's legacy | 1:37

Sonny Ramaswamy, one of four finalists for Iowa State University president, talks about how he wants to build on university's achievements and address issues like poverty and the opioid crisis in the community.
Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

VIDEOS: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT FINALISTS
Whitten: ISU's land-grant mission an important theme | 0:51

Pamela Whitten, one of four finalists in Iowa State University's search for a new president, says she has experience with land-grant universities like Iowa State during an open forum on campus in Ames.
Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

Dale Whittaker, one of four finalists in Iowa State University's search for a new president, said he wants to make Iowa State an option for everyone despite their economic situation.
Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

VIDEOS: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT FINALISTS
Wintersteen: Iowa State 'got behind' on issues of diversity | 1:11

Finalist Wendy Wintersteen answers a question about creating a more inclusive campus environment during the fourth of four open president forums at Iowa State University.
Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register

VIDEOS: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT FINALISTS
Joel Lanning for ISU President? One finalist thinks he can do it. | 0:55

Sonny Ramaswamy, one of four finalists for Iowa State University president, congratulates the team and Joel Lanning on their big win over Oklahoma during a public forum in Ames.
Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register